We need to make a minor change to the MemeStreams Privacy Policy. In the tradition of putting this stuff up for discussion before doing it, here are the details...

Currently, it says the following in the section about email addresses and bio information:

We may make use of some of the information you supply to target the banner ads on our site, and in aggregate to provide advertisers with demographic information about our user base.

This about cookie data:

This website uses cookies: In order for this website to work effectively, it has to know who you are. Each user on this site has an account, and transactions have to be associated with that account. When you login, you are issued a cookie. Its the only way we can keep track of which account you are logged into. You must have cookies enabled in order to use this site.

And this about javascript:

This website uses JavaScript: This website has been developed using JavaScript. Personally, we have a poor opinion of the way that JavaScript is used by most websites, where it primarily offers useless animation or annoying pop-up ads. We have attempted to use JavaScript as it should be used, to provide a more powerful user interface. While it may be possible to use this website without JavaScript enabled, the user experience is likely to be poor. We would recommend enabling it for this site.

In spirit these are accurate. However, these three sections are slightly out of line with both reality and future plans. Here are the factors:

1) We use currently using cookies for tracking unique visitors, as well as handle authenticated users.

2) We are going to need to allow third party entities (Google) to use cookies/javascript to track visitors for advertising and analytical purposes, as well as eventually deliver advertisements.

We are not sure if/when we will turn on advertisements. There is no benefit in doing so until we can get an idea of how much revenue it will generate, as well as gain an understanding of what the site's current geo/demo/psychographic is. However, we do need to get on a footing were we can do so. We have been making a large number of changes to the site, and more are on the way. We expect operational costs to start rising. It is also fast becoming time to do a server hardware upgrade.

We need to have our ducks in a row in order to create a revenue stream to support MemeStreams. So far, all expenses have been paid out of our own pockets. (Ok, Tom's pocket...)

The statement about using email/bio information to supply ads and aggregate demographic information about our user base is not accurate. We have not been using email/bio information to do this. We don't need to use email/bio information for this. We need to use cookies and javascript.

In this regard, the statement in the email/bio section needs to be moved into the cookie section, and changed to reflect this. The JavaScript section also needs to be tweaked slightly.

Comments?