The privacy-policy mistakes indie apps make most

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The mistakes that recur

Most privacy-policy problems are not malice; they are rushed templates. The same four errors show up across indie and small-team apps, and each is easy to fix once you look.

Mistake 1 — the policy contradicts the app

The policy says "we don't share data," but three SDKs ship events to ad networks. Reviewers and users notice. The fix is to audit dependencies and write the policy to match reality, not aspiration.

Mistake 2 — copy-pasted boilerplate

A policy lifted from another app (or a 2019 template) rarely fits. It names the wrong company, omits your actual SDKs, and misses current requirements. A generator helps only if you answer truthfully about what you collect.

Mistake 3 — missing user-rights section

GDPR and CCPA give users access, deletion, and opt-out rights. A policy with no rights section is incomplete for EU/CA users and fails the basics. State the rights and how to exercise them.

Mistake 4 — no lawful basis for EU users

Under GDPR you need a documented legal basis (consent, contract, legitimate interest) per purpose. Skipping this makes the EU section unenforceable. Even a one-line basis per purpose closes the gap.

Closing the loop

Write the policy from your real data map, disclose SDKs, add the rights section, and state lawful bases. A template gets you 80% of the way; honest inputs and counsel review close the rest.

Authoritative references

GDPR Art. 12–14: https://gdpr-info.eu/art-12-gdpr/
Cal. Civ. Code §1798.155 (CCPA remedies): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&division=3.&title=1.81.5
FTC business guidance: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance

FAQ

Is a contradictory policy worse than a weak one?

Often yes — it signals you don't know what your app does, and it fails store review. An accurate, plain policy beats a polished contradiction.

Can I just copy another app's policy?

No. It won't match your SDKs or data, and it may name the wrong entity. Generate from your own answers and review.

What user rights must I list?

At minimum access, deletion, and opt-out (GDPR/CCPA). State them and how to exercise them — omission makes the policy incomplete for EU/CA users.

Do I need a lawful basis for EU users?

Under GDPR, yes — a documented basis per purpose. Skipping it makes the EU section unenforceable.

Is a generated policy a guarantee of compliance?

No. It is a template and a starting point. Compliance depends on accurate inputs and counsel review; the document alone is not a guarantee.

## Disclaimer

Disclaimer (template, not legal advice): PolicyDeck generates plain-English legal document templates (privacy policy, terms, EULA, cookie policy) from your answers. It is not a substitute for a qualified attorney, and a generated document is a starting point, not a guarantee that your app meets GDPR, CCPA, or any other regulation. Have counsel review before relying on a document, especially for high-risk data or regulated markets.

Avoid the four recurring privacy-policy mistakes — generate an accurate draft with PolicyDeck — try PolicyDeck.