React is an open-source JavaScript library that enables people to build user interfaces for single-page applications
React itself does not collect or process personal data by default; however, if you build a website or web app by using React, you will likely collect and process personal data.
Therefore, you must provide a compliant privacy policy that explains how you collect, use, and share personal data when you build websites with React.
Below, I summarize all you should know about a privacy policy for React, like how to make one, why you need it, what laws impact it, and more.
Creating a Privacy Policy for React
First, I’ll summarize three easy ways you can make a privacy policy if you use React.
Use a Privacy Policy Generator
One of the easiest ways to make a privacy policy when you use React is to use Termly’s free Privacy Policy Generator.
Vetted by our legal team and data privacy experts, it asks basic questions about your business and uses those answers to make your unique policy based. You can then easily embed it directly onto your site.
We also pride ourselves on transparency and trust and are fully committed to protecting the privacy of our users.
Use a Privacy Policy Templates
Those using React can also use Termly’s free privacy policy template to make a custom policy.
To use it, just fill in the blank sections with accurate details about your business and how it collects, processes, and uses personal information.
Take extra time to edit and add other information as necessary, or remove any clauses that do not apply to you.
Write It Yourself
You can also write your own privacy policy for your website, but only if you have the technical skills and knowledge of data privacy laws.
Be very thorough, particularly about how you share consumer data with third-party services, like Google like React. If you leave anything out, even by mistake, privacy laws typically still hold you financially accountable.
Consider consulting a privacy lawyer or attorney to review the final document.
How NOT To Make a React Privacy Policy
I covered the easy ways to make a privacy policy, now let’s discuss what to avoid.
- Don’t copy another business’s privacy policy. Legal policies are likely protected by copyright law, and copying one is considered a form of plagiarism, which is illegal. Plus, another business policy won’t accurately apply to your business. It’s just not worth the risk.
- Don’t use AI to generate a privacy policy. AI is exciting but is not the most effective tool to make robust, and customized legal policies. These documents must include nuanced, personalized details about how you collect and use personal data. Most AI has no way of knowing all of these specific details unless you directly feed it the personal data, and it might still hallucinate or include falsities in your final policy. It’s best to use a privacy solution or consult a lawyer and privacy experts.
- Don’t use an insecure or unreliable ‘generator’ or ‘template’. Avoid using generators that state they cover privacy laws but actually do not. Similarly, avoid generators that charge fees for common free features typically included in templates, or generators that are not updated or maintained by legal teams and data privacy experts.
Do I Need a Privacy Policy If I Use React?
If you use React, yes, you might legally need to have a privacy policy.
This is especially true if your website or your business collects and handles personal data of individuals such as names, email addresses, payment details, and usage data about how individuals browse through your website and platform.
But the benefits of having a privacy policy go beyond compliance. It signifies to users that your website is honest, secure, and transparent.
It also lets users know exactly what you want to do with their information, so they can make an informed choice. This helps build a relationship of trust.
Laws That Impact React Privacy Policies
Several privacy laws could impact your business if you’re using React or any other similar opensource platforms that process personal data.
For example, the following laws might impact you based on different factors, like where you are located or where your users come from, for example:
- General Data Protection Regulation
- California Consumer Privacy Act
- UK GDPR, and PECR
- Australia Privacy Act 1988
- New Zealand Privacy Act 2020
- South Africa Protection of Personal Information Act
- U.S. state-level consumer privacy laws
Information to Include in a React Privacy Policy
To help React users more easily make a privacy policy, I’ve summarized some common clauses that appear in these legal documents in the next section.
What Data You Collect
There should be a clause in your privacy policy that explains what personal information you collect from users, including any information you share with React.
This may include customer names, email addresses, credit card details, any data you collect through cookies, trackers, and similar technologies.
List this data in a clear, easy to read format, like a bullet list or within a table. This helps ensure users can read and understand it.
Why You Collect the Data
In your privacy policy, you should also address the specific purpose behind each specific data processing activity.
For example, if you collect website visitors’ IP addresses, device information, and browsing activities to measure traffic and improve your services, you should set out those purposes in your policy.
Your Legal Basis to Collect The Data
Under certain privacy laws such as the EU and the UK GDPR, you also need a clause in your privacy policy that explains your legal bases for processing personal data.
For example, under the GDPR, there are six specific legal purposes for data processing. These legal bases include consent, legitimate interests, and contractual necessity.
For instance, you may rely on contractual necessity legal ground to process payments by your customers because you need their card details to receive payments.
Other laws, like U.S. state-level privacy laws, limit you to collecting only data that is necessary to complete the purposes stated directly in your privacy policy.
How You Collect The Data
Explaining how you collect personal data is another legally required clause that belongs in your privacy policy, especially if you build your parts of your site using React.
You also must include a clause in your privacy policy explaining how you collect user data, which is especially important if you collect any through your use of React.
In this clause, you might explain if you collect data:
- Directly from the consumer
- From publicly available information
- Using automated technologies, including cookies, trackers, and plugins
- Through social media
- Through forms on your website, such as “sign-up” and “contact us” forms
- In person flyers or paperwork
- Third-party data suppliers such as Apollo or ZoomInfo
- In any other way
Third Party Data Sharing
Privacy laws like the GDPR, the CCPA, and others require businesses to clearly state what types of personal data they share with third parties and categories of those third parties.
Consumer Rights Over Their Data
You also need a clause in your privacy policy that explains what rights consumers have over their personal data and how they can act on those rights.
This means the information you share with React must be accessible enough for you to follow through on any user requests to access, amend, or delete their info, as required by laws like the GDPR and the CCPA.
If more than one privacy law impacts your business or consumers, consider adding multiple clauses for each one to make it simple for consumers to find the details that apply to them.
Children’s Data Clause
Your privacy policy should also need to have a clause addressing children’s data, even if you don’t purposefully market to minors.
Websites that don’t sell to children should use this clause to explain to legal guardians how they can contact you if they believe you’ve accidentally collected data from their child.
It’s an essential clause children might use the internet without adult supervision and may accidentally end up on your site, which may in turn lead to sharing their data with third party services you use, like React.
If your website is marketed towards children, there are additional strict laws in place that you’ll need to follow, like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Cookies and Other Trackers
If your website uses any cookies, which is possible when using React, then you must disclose these details to consumers in a clause in your privacy policy.
It’s also a good idea to link out to your official cookie policy.
Under privacy laws such as the GDPR and CCPA/CPRA, cookies that can identify, or be linked to a user are considered to be personal information or personal data.
Therefore, the collection and use of such cookies will likely fall within the scope of these privacy regulations and must be included in your privacy policy.
Company Contact Information
Finally, make sure to include your company contact information somewhere in your privacy policy so users know how to reach you if they have questions, comments, or any concerns.
Including these details is a requirement outlined by data privacy laws like the GDPR and Brazil’s LGPD.
Where to Display Your React Privacy Policy
Display your website’s privacy policy in multiple places throughout your site, including:
- Website footer: This is a s a static part of your website. Users can always access it.
- Payment screens: Payment portals often collect personal data from consumers.
- Account creation pages: If users can create accounts on your React site, include a link to your policy, so they know how you use their data when they create a login.
- Email and SMS Communications to Individuals and Businesses: When contacting individuals or businesses via email, SMS, or other messaging platforms, you should ensure that your communications include access to your privacy policy. This allows you to inform recipients about how you collected the information and how you use the information.
- Wherever data collection occurs: A good rule is to post a link to your privacy policy before or at the point of data collection, which aligns with laws like the GDPR.
How Termly Helps
When you use React to make build user interfaces and single-page applications, it’s essential that you also transparently communicate how this interface collects and uses personal data from your consumers.
Fortunately, privacy tools like Termly’s privacy policy generator make it faster and simpler than ever to customize this policy for your site.
Backed by our legal team and data privacy experts, it asks simple questions about your business and the ways you collect data. It then makes a unique policy based on your answers.
See why millions of users trust Termly, and try it today for free today!
More about the author
Written by Natasha Piirainen
Natasha is a Content Specialist with over 10 years of professional experience in research-driven content development. She graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in English and Philosophy. At Termly, she focuses on data privacy and consent management best practices and is responsible for maintaining and updating comprehensive data privacy materials.
More about the author
Reviewed by Ali Talip Pınarbaşı, CIPP/E, & LLM Data Privacy Law Consultant
