Privacy Friendly Analytics

Privacy Friendly Analytics

In today's digital age, it's not uncommon for businesses to collect data on their customers to better understand their behaviour and preferences.


This data is then used to improve the customer experience and increase sales. However, with the increasing concerns over privacy, it’s important for businesses to adopt privacy friendly analytics practices. To ensure customers’ data is handled responsibly.

Privacy friendly analytics is the practice of collecting, analysing, and using data in a way that respects individuals’ privacy. This means that businesses must be transparent about the data they collect, how they use it, and who they share it with. Additionally, they must ensure that the data is collected and stored securely, and that it is anonymized or pseudonymized to protect individuals’ identities.

Implementing Privacy Friendly Analytics

Here are some best practices for implementing privacy friendly analytics:

  1. Use anonymization or pseudonymization
    When collecting data, businesses should remove any personally identifiable information such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers. You achieve this through anonymization. All identifying information is removed, or pseudonymization, and the data is still linked to an individual but is not directly identifiable.
  2. Implement data minimization
    Only collect the data that is necessary for your business needs. The less data collected, the less potential for privacy breaches.
  3. Provide transparency
    Be upfront with your customers about what data you’re collecting, why you’re collecting it, and how you’re using it. You do this through a privacy policy or a notice at the point of data collection.
  4. Secure data storage
    Ensure data is stored securely using appropriate encryption and access controls. Limit access to only those who need it and regularly review who has access.
  5. Obtain consent
    Before collecting any data, obtain the consent of your customers. Do this through an opt-in form or by providing an option to opt-out.
  6. Regularly review data usage
    Regularly review how your data is used and shared to ensure it’s being handled in accordance with privacy regulations.

Google Analytics Alternative: GDPR Compliance

There are several Google Analytics alternatives that are GDPR compliant. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a regulation in the European Union that protects the privacy and personal data of individuals.

Matomo

Matomo is a self-hosted, open-source analytics platform that offers similar features to Google Analytics. It allows businesses to track website visitors, measure conversions, and generate reports. Matomo is GDPR compliant and offers users full control over their data.

Fathom Analytics

Fathom Analytics is a privacy-focused analytics tool that is GDPR compliant. It provides businesses with simple and easy-to-use analytics that do not require any cookies, tracking scripts, or invasive data collection.

Plausible

Plausible is a lightweight and privacy-friendly analytics tool that provides businesses with simple and easy-to-use analytics. The tool does not use cookies, does not collect any personally identifiable information, and does not track individual users.

Each of these tools offers different features and pricing options, so it’s important to choose the one that best meets the needs of your business.

Why choose a privacy friendly analytics tool?

By implementing these best practices, businesses can collect and use data in a way that respects individual privacy. Not only does this build trust with customers, but it also ensures compliance with privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA. Privacy-friendly analytics can also lead to more accurate insights, as customers are more likely to provide accurate information if they trust how their data is being used.

Personally, I believe businesses must adopt privacy-friendly analytics practices to protect their customers’ privacy. They are still able to collect and use data to improve their business.

Implementing the best practices outlined above, businesses can ensure that they’re handling data responsibly and in compliance with privacy regulations.