Data must be processed using appropriate measures, which means you have to make sure your cybersecurity is up to standards to maintain GDPR compliance. While there are no specific guidelines you have to follow in terms of cybersecurity when it comes to following GDPR guidelines, you’re expected to maintain a certain level of cybersecurity to protect customers’ data. If you’re currently overlooking cybersecurity, this is the perfect time to work on it.
The last thing you want is for customers to think of your business as susceptible to data breaches. Many consumers are already skeptical enough about using credit and debit cards online without having to question the data protection practices of the company they’re doing business with. With GDPR consent, customers know their data is better protected because you’re required to follow certain requirements. Plus, avoiding data breaches helps you keep your reputation intact, so people aren’t afraid to shop with you.
Improved data management is another benefit of GDPR compliance. When you use GDPR consent and collect data according to the GDPR, you also have the opportunity to adopt data management best practices that you may not have used before. And because GDPR compliance requires you to collect, store, and manage data in a particular manner, it helps improve your data management by default. If you’re already overhauling your data collection and management processes, you can take the opportunity to make sure you’re on top of GDPR compliance as well.
Do I, as an individual, have to comply with GDPR?
As an individual, you are required to maintain GDPR compliance as long as you meet the criteria. As long as you collect personal data from people who are residents of the EU, you’re required to follow the GDPR when it comes to the collection, storage, and management of that personal data. That being said, there are certain cases where an individual isn’t required to maintain GDPR compliance even if they’re collecting data from people in the EU.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that certain types of data collection are exempt from the GDPR. Essentially, you’re only required to follow GDPR guidelines if you’re collecting personal information from residents of the EU for business purposes. Other types of data collection aren’t subject to GDPR guidelines. This includes personal data collection, such as lists of phone numbers, addresses, and other information that is intended for personal or household use. That being said, it’s still a good idea to maintain GDPR compliance if you’re collecting any type of data from EU residents. At the very least, maintaining GDPR compliance will help you make sure your data protection and management systems are up to date.
If you’re an individual, but you’re not collecting data from people in the EU, you don’t have to worry about GDPR compliance. However, following GDPR marketing and data protection guidelines can help you make sure you’re protecting customers’ private data, which goes a long way toward increasing customer loyalty and boosting your brand’s reputation.
Even as an individual, it’s important to understand whether or not you’re required to maintain GDPR compliance. You might think you’re collecting a small amount of data that isn’t particularly valuable, but data protection is crucial when you’re dealing with any type of sensitive information.
Are there regulations besides GDPR that I need to follow?
In addition to GDPR compliance for EU resident data collection, there are other regulations you may need to follow when it comes to running an online business. Different states and countries have different laws, so the regulations you have to follow vary depending on your business operations.
California has what may be the most well-known data protection law in the United States, which is called the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). States other than California may also have data protection laws which are modeled similarly to the CCPA or the GDPR. Of course, you may still be required to maintain GDPR compliance and follow other regulations if you’re operating outside of the United States but collecting data from customers in certain states will impose additional requirements to those under the GDPR.
There’s also a Canada law regarding data protection that’s called the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). This law is often referred to as the Canadian equivalent of GDPR, so maintaining PIPEDA compliance is also important for many businesses. Like GDPR compliance, you’re required to maintain PIPEDA compliance if you collect, use, or disclose the personal information of Canadian citizens for business purposes.
The last thing to remember is that there are countless regulations when it comes to running a business, whether you’re running an online business or not. If you have an email marketing campaign, you have to follow the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. And just like data protection regulations, there are different email marketing regulations for different countries. If you’re doing a lot of business internationally, it may be worth talking with an expert about which laws you’re required to follow.
