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The GDPR is a legal framework that sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information from individuals inside and outside of the EU. This regulation was approved in 2016 and took effect two years later, with the goal of giving consumers control over their personal data by making companies accountable for how they handle it. The regulation applies to all websites that attract European visitors, regardless of where they are based.
The GDPR, which replaced the Data Protection Directive, is a law that regulates the way companies process and use personal data collected from consumers online. It also governs the movement of information, whether it’s partially or fully automated.
The law makes it harder for companies to deceive consumers with unclear or vague language when they access their websites. It also requires:
- Visitors to be informed of the data being collected from them.
- Visitors to give their explicit consent for the collection of their information by taking some form of action, such as clicking a button.
- Sites to promptly notify visitors in the event of a breach of their personal data.
- An assessment of the site’s data security to be conducted.
- The appointment of a dedicated data protection officer (DPO) or the assignment of the role to an existing staff member.
These requirements may be more stringent than those required in the jurisdiction where the site is located. The information on how to contact the DPO and other relevant staff must be readily available to visitors so they can exercise their EU data rights, including the option to have their presence on the site erased. The company must have the necessary personnel and resources to carry out requests from consumers regarding their personal data. How to Comply with the GDPR? There are several ways for companies to become GDPR compliant. Some essential steps include reviewing personal data, keeping records of all data processed, updating privacy policies for all website visitors, and fixing any errors found in the company’s databases. Who Does the GDPR Apply To? In essence, anyone visiting websites based in the European Union is protected under the GDPR. This includes individuals within the EU and outside of it, as well as EU citizens whose data is stored outside of the union. Non-EU citizens living in the EU also have their data protected by the regulation.
