Tips for using cloud computing

The World Privacy Forum, whose report I covered earlier, has published a set of tips on how to use cloud services, for consumers as well as for government and business.

Tips for consumers of cloud services

• Read the Terms of Service before placing any information in the cloud. If you don’t understand the Terms of Service, consider using a different cloud provider.
• Don’t put anything in the cloud you would not want the government or a private litigant to see.
• Pay close attention if the cloud provider reserves rights to use, disclose, or make public your information.
• Read the privacy policy before placing your information in the cloud. If you don’t understand the policy, consider using a different provider.
• When you remove your data from the cloud provider, does the cloud provider still retain rights to your information? If so, consider whether that makes a difference to you.
• Will the cloud provider give advance notice of any change of terms in the terms of service or privacy policy?

There are also tips for business and government on cloud services, but we’re not going to translate those here. Let the bureaucrats do some work :wink: