Privacy Policy for WordPress Websites
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites, and every one of them collects at least some personal data — even a simple blog collects IP addresses via comments, and basic analytics. If you run a WordPress site, you need a privacy policy that accurately reflects how your site collects and uses data, including the specific plugins you use. LegalForge generates a WordPress-specific privacy policy tailored to your setup in minutes.
Generate for Free — No Signup RequiredHow WordPress Collects Personal Data
A standard WordPress installation collects personal data in several ways: blog comments (name, email, website, IP address), contact forms via plugins like Contact Form 7 or WPForms, user registrations (username, email, password), analytics via Google Analytics, Jetpack Stats, or similar plugins, WooCommerce orders (billing and shipping addresses, payment details), membership plugins (MemberPress, LearnDash), and newsletter plugins (Mailchimp for WordPress, ConvertKit). Your privacy policy must disclose each of these data collection points and explain how the data is used and stored.
WordPress GDPR Requirements
Since WordPress 4.9.6, the platform has included built-in privacy tools: a privacy policy page creator, a personal data export tool, and a personal data erasure tool. These tools help you operationally comply with GDPR's data subject rights (the right to access and the right to erasure), but they do not automatically generate a compliant privacy policy for you. You still need to write and publish a clear policy that explains your data practices. LegalForge creates that policy, which you can then assign in WordPress under Settings → Privacy.
WooCommerce Privacy Policy Requirements
If you run a WooCommerce store on WordPress, your privacy policy obligations are significantly higher. WooCommerce collects billing names and addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses, purchase history, and payment data (processed by your chosen payment gateway — Stripe, PayPal, etc.). WooCommerce itself provides privacy policy text snippets for merchants to include, and LegalForge's generator incorporates WooCommerce-specific language when you indicate you use it, covering order data retention, customer accounts, and marketing opt-ins.
Cookies and Tracking on WordPress
WordPress and its ecosystem of plugins set numerous cookies. WordPress itself sets cookies for logged-in users and commenters. WooCommerce sets session, cart, and tracking cookies. Analytics plugins set cookies for visitor tracking. Advertising integrations (Facebook Pixel, Google Ads) set third-party tracking cookies. Under GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law), you must disclose all cookies in your privacy policy and, for non-essential cookies, obtain prior consent via a cookie consent banner. LegalForge's generated policy includes a cookie disclosure section listing the categories of cookies used.
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Start Generating — It's FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Does WordPress have a built-in privacy policy?
WordPress (since version 4.9.6) includes a Privacy Policy page creator at Settings → Privacy. It provides a sample template to get you started, and lets you assign any page as your official privacy policy. However, the built-in template is a generic placeholder — it does not know which plugins you use or how your specific site works. You need to replace or fully customize it with an accurate policy for your site. LegalForge generates that accurate, customized policy for you.
Which WordPress plugins affect my privacy policy?
Almost any plugin that touches user data affects your privacy obligations. Key plugins to account for include: contact form plugins (Contact Form 7, WPForms, Gravity Forms), analytics plugins (Google Analytics, MonsterInsights, Jetpack), e-commerce plugins (WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads), membership plugins (MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro), email marketing plugins (Mailchimp for WordPress, ConvertKit), caching plugins (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache — which may log IP addresses), and security plugins (Wordfence, iThemes Security — which store IP address logs). LegalForge lets you specify which plugins you use.
How do I add a privacy policy to WordPress?
Go to Settings → Privacy in your WordPress admin. WordPress will let you create a new privacy policy page or designate an existing page. Create a new page, paste the policy generated by LegalForge into the page editor, publish it, and then select it as your privacy policy page in Settings → Privacy. Also add a link to the privacy policy in your footer widget or menu so it is accessible from every page of your site.
Do I need a GDPR cookie consent plugin for WordPress?
If your site has visitors from the EU, yes. GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive require that non-essential cookies (analytics, advertising, social media embeds) are only set after the user gives informed, affirmative consent. A cookie consent plugin like CookieYes, Complianz, or Cookie Notice handles this consent mechanism. A privacy policy alone is not sufficient — you also need a functional consent banner that withholds non-essential cookies until the user accepts. Your privacy policy should describe your cookie practices and link to your cookie settings.