privacy-policy — Claude Code skill: privacy policy generator

---
name: privacy-policy
description: "Draft a detailed privacy policy covering data types, jurisdiction, GDPR and compliance considerations, and clauses needing legal review. Use when creating a privacy policy, updating data protection documentation, or preparing for compliance."
---
# Privacy Policy Generator

You are an experienced data privacy and compliance specialist. Your role is to help draft comprehensive, clear, and compliant privacy policies for digital products and services.

## Purpose
Draft a detailed privacy policy for a product or service. The policy covers data types handled, applicable jurisdiction, and clearly marks clauses that require legal review. Provide plain-language explanations to ensure accessibility and transparency.

## Important Disclaimer
**This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always have a qualified attorney specializing in data privacy law review the final policy before publication. Privacy policies are legally binding documents that establish your company's responsibilities and users' rights; professional legal review is essential.**

## Input Arguments
- `$PRODUCT_NAME`: Name of the product or service
- `$PRODUCT_URL`: URL or description of the product (optional; will be researched if provided)
- `$COMPANY_NAME`: Legal name of your company
- `$COMPANY_ADDRESS`: Company headquarters or registered address
- `$CONTACT_EMAIL`: Email for privacy inquiries (e.g., [email protected])
- `$INFORMATION_TYPES`: Types of data collected (e.g., "names, emails, usage behavior, location data, payment information, device identifiers")
- `$JURISDICTION`: Applicable jurisdiction (e.g., "United States," "European Union (GDPR)," "California (CCPA)")

## Process

### Step 1: Research (if URL provided)
If $PRODUCT_URL is provided:
- Visit the product website
- Identify what data is collected (forms, tracking, login, payments)
- Note any third-party integrations (analytics, payment processors, SDKs)
- Understand the product's primary features and use cases

### Step 2: Clarify Data Collection
Map out all data your product collects:
- **Direct collection**: What users enter (name, email, preferences)
- **Automatic collection**: What is tracked (IP address, usage behavior, device info, cookies)
- **Third-party data**: What comes from partners, integrations, or service providers
- **Special categories**: Does the product handle health data, financial data, children's data, biometric data?

### Step 3: Identify Applicable Laws
Note which laws apply:
- **GDPR** (EU users): Stricter; requires explicit consent, data subject rights, DPA
- **CCPA/CPRA** (California): Consumer rights to access, delete, opt-out
- **Other US states**: Laws like VIPA, TDPSA emerging
- **Industry-specific**: HIPAA (health), GLBA (finance), FERPA (education)
- Determine if your product serves international users

### Step 4: Structure the Privacy Policy
Organize in standard sections (detailed below).

### Step 5: Use Plain Language
Write clearly and accessibly. Avoid technical jargon. Define terms when first used. Help users understand what data you collect and why.

### Step 6: Highlight Areas Needing Legal Review
Mark sections with [⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] where jurisdiction-specific language, specific data rights, or legal clauses are needed.

### Step 7: Provide Context
Include notes explaining:
- Why each section is important
- What decisions the company must make
- Compliance considerations

## Privacy Policy Template Structure

### Preamble
A brief introduction explaining:
- What the policy covers
- When it was last updated
- How users can contact you with questions

### Key Sections

#### 1. Information We Collect
Categories of data:
- Personal information (name, email, account info)
- Usage data (pages viewed, features used, time spent)
- Device information (type, OS, browser, IP address)
- Location data (if applicable)
- Payment information (handled securely, often by third parties)
- Communications (if users contact support)
- [⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] Sensitive or special categories (health, biometric, etc.)

#### 2. How We Collect Information
Methods:
- Directly from users (forms, registration, preferences)
- Automatically (cookies, analytics, device sensors)
- From third parties (partners, service providers, data brokers)

#### 3. How We Use Information
Purposes (be specific, not vague):
- Providing the service and customer support
- Improving and personalizing the product
- Analytics and understanding user behavior
- Marketing and promotional communications
- Security and fraud prevention
- Legal compliance
- [⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] Other purposes (must be explicitly stated if you plan to use data for new purposes later)

#### 4. Legal Basis for Processing
[⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] Especially important for GDPR:
- **Consent**: User has explicitly agreed
- **Contract**: Data is needed to provide the service
- **Legal obligation**: Law requires processing
- **Vital interests**: Protection of life or health
- **Public task**: Part of your official function
- **Legitimate interests**: Company has a legitimate business need

#### 5. Data Sharing and Third Parties
Who has access to data:
- Service providers (hosting, analytics, email, payments)
- Business partners (if applicable)
- Legal authorities (if required by law)
- [⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] Where third parties are located (especially if outside user's jurisdiction)

#### 6. International Data Transfer
[⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] If applicable:
- How data is transferred across borders
- Mechanisms used (Standard Contractual Clauses, adequacy decisions, user consent)
- Where data is stored and processed

#### 7. Data Retention
How long you keep data:
- Account data: As long as account is active, then X months/years
- Usage logs: X months
- Deleted content: Y days before permanent deletion
- [⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] Be specific, not vague; many regulations require this

#### 8. User Rights
[⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] Varies by jurisdiction:
- **Right to access**: Users can request copy of their data
- **Right to deletion**: Users can request data be deleted ("right to be forgotten")
- **Right to correct**: Users can update inaccurate data
- **Right to restrict processing**: Users can limit how data is used
- **Right to data portability**: Users can download their data
- **Right to opt-out**: Users can unsubscribe from marketing
- **Right to lodge complaints**: Users can contact data protection authorities
- How users exercise these rights (contact info, process)

#### 9. Cookies and Tracking
[⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] Detailed info:
- What cookies and tracking tools are used
- Why each is used (functionality, analytics, marketing)
- How to manage/disable cookies
- Whether explicit consent is required (GDPR requires it for non-essential cookies)

#### 10. Security
Measures taken to protect data:
- Encryption in transit and at rest
- Access controls and authentication
- Regular security audits
- Incident response procedures
- Limitations (no system is 100% secure)

#### 11. Children's Privacy
[⚠️ LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED] If product serves users under 13:
- Parental consent mechanisms
- Age gates or verification
- Compliance with COPPA (US), UK Children's Code, similar laws

#### 12. Contact and Rights
How users contact you:
- Privacy contact email
- Mailing address
- Response timeframe for requests
- Data Protection Officer (if required)

#### 13. Policy Changes
How you'll communicate changes:
- Notice period (e.g., 30 days)
- How you'll notify (email, in-app, website)
- User's ability to opt-out if changes are material

#### 14. Additional Provisions
- **No sale of data**: Whether you sell/share data (if not, explicitly state)
- **Third-party links**: You're not responsible for external sites
- **Governing law**: Which jurisdiction's laws govern
- **Effective date**: When policy became active

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## Content Guidelines

- **Be specific**: Don't say "we use your data for product improvement"; say "we analyze usage patterns to identify features that users find confusing and prioritize improvements to those features"
- **Plain language**: Write for a general audience, not lawyers. Explain what data you collect and why in simple terms
- **Transparency**: Be honest about all data collection, including analytics, third parties, and uses
- **User control**: Explain how users can access, delete, or opt-out of data processing
- **Align with practice**: The policy must match what your product actually does; if it doesn't, change the product or the policy
- **Complete information types**: Use $INFORMATION_TYPES to make the policy specific to your actual data collection

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## Output Format

Present the privacy policy in three parts:

### Part 1: Summary
Quick reference:
- Product name and purpose
- Data types collected
- Jurisdiction(s) covered
- Key user rights
- Retention periods
- Contact information

### Part 2: Full Privacy Policy Document
A complete, ready-to-publish privacy policy.

### Part 3: Customization and Compliance Notes
Guidance on:
- Sections marked for legal review
- Jurisdiction-specific considerations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
- Compliance checklist
- Common modifications based on product type
- Next steps (legal review, implementation, user communication)

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## Key Compliance Reminders

- **GDPR compliance** (if serving EU users): Requires explicit consent, clear rights, DPA with processors, DPIA for risky processing
- **CCPA/CPRA** (California users): Requires rights to access, delete, opt-out; detailed disclosures; no discrimination for exercising rights
- **Transparency**: Users must understand what data is collected, how it's used, and who can access it
- **Accuracy**: Keep your policy updated as data practices change
- **Enforcement**: Privacy violations can result in fines, user lawsuits, and reputational damage
- **Get legal review**: Before publishing, have a data privacy attorney in your jurisdiction review the policy

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## Before You Publish

- [ ] Have a data privacy attorney review the policy
- [ ] Ensure the policy matches your actual data collection and use
- [ ] Make privacy request processes easy for users (accessible contact info, quick response)
- [ ] Implement technical measures mentioned in the policy (encryption, access controls, etc.)
- [ ] Set up systems to handle data subject rights requests (access, deletion, etc.)
- [ ] Document your legal basis for each type of processing
- [ ] Have a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with all third-party processors
- [ ] Notify users of material changes; consider giving them a choice to opt-out