Hidden Dangers of Website Plugins & Tracking Codes: Protect Your Data
Caution with Website Plugins and Tracking Codes: A Real-Life Example Plugins and tracking codes can jazz up your website’s functionality, but they...
3 min read
Mike Pelland : Sep 27, 2024 10:44:13 AM
Plugins and tracking codes can jazz up your website’s functionality, but they often come with hidden price tags, especially when it comes to data privacy. Imagine tracking tools that snoop on your visitors like a nosy neighbor peeking through the blinds or plugins that seem like a contractor’s best buddy but have a secret agenda. These sneaky companies embed tracking code to gather all the juicy gossip about your visitors. This treasure trove of data, from visitor behavior to personal info, is then used to line the plugin provider’s pockets, either by selling it to third parties or bombarding you with marketing under the guise of being "free." Spoiler alert: nothing is ever free.
When you install a plugin—whether it's for analytics, ecommerce, marketing, or customer management—they often ask for permissions that are nosier than your neighborhood gossip. This can include:
While these insights might seem like a treasure chest to you as a website owner, they can be a goldmine for the plugin provider if you're not careful. Make sure you're working with someone who has "mostly" your best interest in mind, or you're managing the process and not someone else. Think of a company like HubSpot and how they go about their business. If you've got a "weird" privacy policy page or a hefty terms of service, that's a red flag. Read them and just don't press "I accept" - that's exactly what they want you to do.
Unlike the big shots like Google or HubSpot, the smaller, lesser-known plugin providers might be playing a game of hide-and-seek with your data. Some of them have terms so vague they might as well be written in invisible ink, allowing them to share or sell your website data without you even getting a whiff of it. As I've mentioned and will dive into in future posts, these third-party companies are like data pirates, using tracking tools to plunder your site for their own treasure. Just because GDPR isn't the sheriff in town in the US yet, doesn't mean you (or they) get to run wild. This can lead to a few sticky situations:
Remember, just because they have the sub-domain app.theirdomain.com, it’s really their playground, and their terms of service are the playground rules. Spoiler: you’re not the one in charge of the sandbox.
While plugins are valuable tools for improving website functionality, they can also pose significant risks to your data and that of your visitors. Real-life examples of plugins that collect and monetize visitor data demonstrate the importance of being cautious with what you install. By thoroughly vetting plugins, limiting permissions, and using trusted providers, you can protect your data and your visitors' privacy. Maintaining transparency and control over your data is not just a legal obligation—it’s key to building trust with your audience.
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