Comply with GDPR Compliances. Gain Customer Trust & Avoid Penalties

Overview

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European law that gives EU consumers (known as "data subjects") the control over their personal data. As per the GDPR Regulations, businesses have to provide the following rights to EU Consumers:

#1. Knowing exactly when and why their data is being collected

#2. Accessing their own data

#3. Stopping the sale of their personal information

#4. Having their data erased under certain circumstances (This is often referred to as "the right to be forgotten.") and many more other rights.

You might recognize these rights from all those "This Site Uses Cookies" pop-ups you see online. While those messages are a result of the GDPR, the regulation itself goes far beyond just cookies. It's a comprehensive framework designed to protect consumer privacy in the digital age.

What is GDPR?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a powerful set of rules in Europe that gives people more control over their personal information. It limits what organisations can do with this data. The GDPR essentially replaced an older data protection law from 1995. It was finalised in April 2016 after years of discussion and became enforceable in May 2018.

Why is it important for businesses to stay compliant with GDPR Compliances?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was implemented in response to growing public concerns about personal data privacy. Thus, businesses operating in the European Union must adhere to GDPR Compliances. Except that, there are also several reasons as follows that make it a must for your business to stay compliant with GDPR Compliances:

#1. Outdated regulations: Before the GDPR, Europe relied on the Data Protection Directive from 1995. This law didn't consider the modern digital landscape where data collection and use are much more extensive.

#2. Protect Your Reputation: Data breaches can damage your company's image. Following the GDPR shows you take customer privacy seriously and helps build trust.

#3. Shifting responsibility: Consumers are placing the burden on companies to safeguard their data. They expect businesses to be transparent about data practices and take responsibility for breaches.

#4. Avoid Costly Investigations and Fines: If you don't follow the GDPR, you could face investigations and hefty fines. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, companies reported almost 110,000 data breaches, resulting in nearly €1.64 billion (around $1.74 billion) in fines!

#5. Improved Technological Systems: Data protection measures required by GDPR (like backups and recovery plans) can help companies bounce back faster from data breaches and other disruptions.

#6. Global market access: Even businesses outside the EU can benefit from GDPR by aligning their data practices with its standards. This demonstrates a commitment to data privacy, potentially opening doors to new customers and opportunities in the global market.

#7. Stronger data management: GDPR compliance often leads to better data governance practices. This means companies can find, manage, and secure their data more efficiently, not just for GDPR, but overall.

#8. Competitive edge: Following GDPR can give businesses a competitive advantage. Customers are increasingly concerned about data privacy, and businesses that prioritise this can build trust and loyalty, attracting more customers from around the globe.

#9. Increased responsibility: The GDPR promotes accountability by requiring businesses to document their data processing activities. This includes details like the legal reason for collecting data, how long it's kept, and security measures in place.

Essential Steps to Achieve GDPR Compliances

1. Transparency and User Consent

#. Be clear about why you collect user data and how you'll use it.

#. Obtain user consent through a straightforward opt-in process, such as a checkbox.

#. Make data privacy information easily accessible.

2. Review and Update Data Protection Policies

#. Regularly review your data protection policy to ensure it reflects GDPR requirements.

#. Integrate privacy by design principles into your IT systems to prioritise user privacy.

#. Conduct self-audits to verify secure data storage and processing.

3. Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)

#. Conduct DPIAs to identify and address risks associated with data collection.

#. DPIAs help you choose appropriate security measures and develop effective data protection policies.

4. Strong Data Security Measures

#. Implement robust cybersecurity software to protect user data.

#. Regularly update your systems and software to address emerging threats.

5. Respecting User Privacy Rights

#. Allow users to access, correct, and delete their personal data upon request.

#. Clearly outline these rights in your privacy policy.

6. Documenting GDPR Compliance

#. Maintain records demonstrating your compliance with GDPR regulations.

#. A GDPR diary can map data flow within your organisation and serve as proof of compliance.

7. Appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO)

#. Appoint a DPO (in-house or outsourced) to oversee GDPR compliance and report to management on data breach risks.

#. The GDPR requires a DPO if your organisation:

- Is a public body (excluding courts)

- Processes large amounts of personal data regularly

- Processes special categories of data (e.g., health information)

8. Identifying Your Supervisory Authority

#. Each EU member state has a Data Protection Authority (DPA) that monitors GDPR compliance.

#. The DPA serves as your primary contact for GDPR inquiries.

9. Promptly Reporting Data Breaches

#. Notify the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of a data breach.

#. Your notification should include details about the breach, potential consequences, and steps taken to address it.

10. Educating Staff on Secure Data Processing

#. Train your employees on GDPR requirements, data privacy, and cybersecurity best practices.

#. Regularly update training materials and discuss real-

#. Explain the importance of cybersecurity measures to ensure employee cooperation.

Penalties associated with GDPR Compliances

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes fines on companies that violate its data privacy rules. These fines can be significant, reaching up to €20 million or 4% of a company's global revenue from the preceding year, whichever is higher. Additionally, EU countries have the flexibility to set their own penalties for violations not directly covered by the GDPR.

E-StartupIndia’s Expert Assistance for GDPR Compliances

Following GDPR Compliances is a difficult task. With so much legal and technical regulations and much more, businesses get stressed out. You do not need to worry. At E-StartupIndia, we understand the challenges of navigating legalities for your business. We have experienced professionals that can handle your GDPR Compliances. Our commitment to simplifying GDPR compliance has earned us the trust and positive reviews from thousands of businesses all over India. Our qualified legal consultants are just a phone call away to answer any questions you may have regarding GDPR compliances. E-StartupIndia is your one stop destination giving you the tools and guidance you need to build a holistic GDPR compliance program.