5 facts about GDPR compliance regulations you need to know
It’s been over 5 years since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect and the impact this regulation has had on data privacy is clear to see. With that said, many organizations that deal with personal data from customers, employees, or website visitors do not fully understand the fundamental principles associated with the GDPR.
Since its inception, the GDPR has applied to all companies that collect or process personal data belonging to individuals within the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), regardless of the geographic location of the company. That means US companies that process personal data of people in the EU must also abide by the GDPR.
1. GDPR requirements applies to virtually all kinds of personal data
The GDPR applies to all personal data. The GDPR defines “personal data” as including any information pertaining to an identified or identifiable individual. Such personal information includes but is not limited to:
- Names and addresses
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Online IDs and IP addresses
- Information on finances and health
- Political and spiritual convictions
- Origin of race or ethnicity
- Biometric and genetic information
While some of the data covered by the GDPR’s definition is obvious, others are not. Names, contact details, and financial information are all clearly private, but so too are topics such as a person’s political leaning. It’s vital that all companies adhere to all of the rules and regulations pertaining to every piece of personal information they process.
2. The 8 basic rights regarding personal data and data privacy
Under the GDPR people are granted 8 fundamental rights in relation to their personal data.
1. Right to rectification
People may ask for inaccurate or incomplete personal data to be corrected.
2. Right to erasure
People are entitled to request that their personal data be deleted.
3. Right to access
People have the right to access their personal data and request any information about its processing.
4. Right to processing restriction
People can demand that the processing of their personal data be restricted.
5. Right to data portability
People are entitled to transfer their personal data to a different controller in a machine-readable format.
6. Right to object
People can object when their data is processed for specific purposes.
7. Right to profiling
People have the right to be free from decision-making that’s based exclusively on automated processing, including profiling.
8. Right to file a complaint with a supervisory authority
People can file a complaint with a supervisory authority if they believe that their data protection rights have been violated
3. There are hefty penalties for non-compliance with the GDPR
As you would imagine, violating the GDPR can land companies in a lot of trouble. Significant fines are in place for noncompliance and range from 2% to 4% of a business’s yearly worldwide revenue, or €10 million to €20 million, whichever figure is bigger. Individuals can also bring legal action against companies that violate their personal data rights.
4. You have to switch from “opt-out” to “opt-in” mode of collecting personal data
Organizations are required to adopt an “opt-in” model when it comes to personal data protection. Unlike the conventional “opt-out” model where consumers had to choose to not have their data processed, the “opt-in” model assumes non-agreement unless a user specifically approves the use of their personal data. Under the GDPR, companies must seek individuals’ explicit consent before collecting or processing any of their personal data.
5. GDPR requirements set time limits for breach notifications
Under the GDPR, in the event of a data breach, enterprises are required to notify the relevant data protection authority within 72 hours. This report must include information specific to the incident, including the type of personal data that was compromised and the likelihood that these individuals’ could be harmed due to their data being leaked.
inSegment will make your website GDPR compliant
GDPR compliance is a must for all businesses that may interact with personal data from users in the EU and the EEA. Meeting all of these requirements can be overwhelming at first, especially if this is a company that’s new to the GDPR.
With a wide range of capabilities and tools, inSegment makes it easiest for businesses of all sizes to comply with the GDPR. Some of the standout features of inSegment’s data tracking and management services are:
- Automated data lifecycle management: You can automate processes such as data deletion and anonymization to guarantee compliance with the GDPR’s data retention requirements
- Audit trails and reporting: inSegment helps you track user interactions with personal data and generate comprehensive reports to show full compliance with GDPR regulations.
- Cookie consent management: We implement compliant cookie consent banners and manage user preferences effectively and efficiently.
- Centralized data management: inSegment’s team helps you consolidate all of your website’s user data into a single platform, providing a clear overview and making compliance audits straightforward.
- Granular access controls: Did you know you can define and enforce data access permissions for different users and roles within your organization? inSegment makes this often overlooked process a breeze for partners.
Leaning on the expertise of qualified professionals is not taking the easy way out, it’s a way of setting strong GDPR compliance foundations at your company. For companies without GDPR experience or know-how, partnering with inSegment will let you focus on delivering a top-tier online experience to users. Our comprehensive GDPR compliance services include testing websites and apps for compliance and providing guidance on how to improve data privacy practices.
Any organization that handles personal data must fully understand and adhere to the requirements laid down in the GDPR. By implementing suitable data governance procedures, creating robust compliance plans, and utilizing inSegment’s o solutions, your company will successfully navigate the GDPR landscape and make your business as compliant as it is successful.
