Why Female Founders Should Review Their Privacy Policy in 2026
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 is rolling out in stages, and it's a prompt for founders to check their website's privacy policy still reflects what their business actually does. Shannon Kate Murray explains what's changed, why copy-paste and AI-generated policies are a risk, and the five signs it's time for a review.
Your website is one of the most important parts of launching a business, but how often do you update it? Your to-do list as a business owner feels like it’s never-ending. While you might be brainstorming blog post ideas or new product pages, it’s easy to forget about your static website pages. With new data legislation being implemented this month, it’s an important reminder for founders to review their website’s privacy policy.
Legislation evolves, technology is upgraded, and your business set-up may also evolve with time. The privacy policy you added to your website three years ago may no longer reflect what your website, and your business, does.
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 has prompted many female founders to revisit how their websites collect, store, and process data. While not every business needs to make immediate changes, this legislation is an important reminder to regularly review your privacy policy.
What is a Website Privacy Policy and Why Does It Matter?
A privacy policy tells your website visitors what data you collect, why you collect it, how you use it, and who you share it with. This website page provides transparency for your visitors and potential customers, including what rights they have.
If your website collects any personal data, it is legally required to have a privacy policy as part of the UK’s GDPR privacy regulations. This personal data includes assets like email addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses.
Most website hosting platforms, including Squarespace, Shopify and WordPress, also require you to have an active privacy policy as part of their terms of service.
Why So Many Small Business Privacy Policies Are Out of Date
Most websites start with a generic privacy policy, but it’s important that these are adapted to suit your business before your website goes live. While you might be regularly updating your blog or service pages, it’s easy to forget about static pages like your privacy policy.
Every time you make a change to your website, update your privacy policy accordingly. If you’ve started using AI tools, added an online booking software, or introduced a payment processor, these changes will need to be reflected in your privacy policy. As your business grows, you’ll naturally upgrade your website and processes.
If your website has changed, your privacy policy needs to as well. Taking 10 minutes to review your privacy policy every few months can protect your business from complaints and regulatory problems.
What Has Changed With UK Data Protection Law?
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 updates aspects of UK data protection and privacy legislation, with changes being introduced gradually between 2025 and 2026. Not every business will need to immediately rewrite its privacy policy, and not all websites need to be updated.
Instead, it’s important to understand whether the way you collect and use personal data is accurately reflected in your privacy notices. This new law does not replace GDPR regulation and instead exists to allow responsible data-sharing while maintaining high data protection standards.
The Hidden Risk of Copy-and-Paste Privacy Policies
Setting up a website can be complicated, whether you’re doing it entirely DIY or outsourcing aspects of your website to freelancers or an agency. Most founders fall into the trap of relying too much on copying and pasting generic privacy policies. Templates may be out of date, and borrowing wording from another website may mean that your privacy policy doesn’t accurately reflect your data policies.
It's also worth being cautious when using AI to generate your privacy policy. ChatGPT won’t know the actual processes that your business uses, and AI is liable to hallucinate legal wording or omit important disclosures. If you decide to generate a privacy policy or use a template, double-check its accuracy, and ensure it is customised to reflect your data processes.
Signs Your Privacy Policy Needs Reviewing
Your privacy policy is easy to forget about, but it’s a good idea to update it at least every 6 months. Make a note in your calendar and treat it just like any other regulatory requirement, from your company’s confirmation statement to your tax return.
Here are 5 signs that it’s time to review your privacy policy:
You’ve added new software
You’ve started email marketing
You’ve changed your website’s payment systems
You’ve added cookies or tracking tools
You’ve changed how your client information is stored
What Happens If Your Privacy Policy Is Wrong or Outdated?
If your website’s privacy policy is out-of-date or incorrect, your potential clients or customers will view your company as being less credible. Consumers care about their data privacy more than ever. Research shows that over 90% of customers are concerned about the security of their private information – and they’re actively choosing to support companies that they perceive as being able to protect their data.
Failing to update your privacy policy can lead to potential complaints and cause a loss of trust with your customers. It can also undermine your website’s credibility and bring your company under regulatory scrutiny.
Update Your Privacy Policy to Protect Your Small Business Website
Your website is a business asset, and it’s important to keep it up-to-date. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 is an important reminder that your website needs to be regularly updated to stay compliant with ever-changing UK legislation.
Reviewing your privacy policy will help protect your business, build trust, and ensure your website evolves as your company grows.