data collection
Definition
Data collection refers to the process of gathering personal information from your customers, website visitors, or employees, such as their names, email addresses, purchasing habits, or location data. Laws in many states and countries require businesses to tell people exactly what information they are collecting and how they plan to use it. If your business collects any kind of personal data, you are legally responsible for protecting it and handling it according to privacy laws.
Example
When a customer creates an account on your website and you save their name, email, and credit card information, that entire process counts as data collection and triggers your legal obligations under privacy laws like the CCPA or GDPR.
Watch Out
Many small business owners do not realize that even simply using Google Analytics on their website counts as data collection, which means privacy laws may apply to them even if they never ask customers to fill out a form.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.