General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) : Keep Calm and Prepare for GDPR

Evolutionary, not revolutionary.. Save the Day - 25th May 2018

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. It also addresses the export of personal data outside the EU. The GDPR aims primarily to give control to citizens and residents over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying the regulation within the EU.The regulation is designed to strengthen an individual’s rights and increase business accountability for data privacy and holding personal information. Under the new policy, non-compliant organizations can face fines of up to €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher.

How will GDPR affect Email Marketers?

Email marketing under GDPR essentially means that, as an email marketer, you need to collect freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous consent. To achieve compliance, you have to adopt new practices:

• New consumer opt-in permission rules
• Proof of consent storing systems; and
• A method through which consumers can ask their personal information removed.

Concerning the impact of EU GDPR on B2B and B2C in 2018, the new European law applies to both business methods. Neither soft opt-in nor soft opt-out approaches are allowed, I recommend you to use double opt-in to align with GDPR compliance requirements. Along with how you achieve consent in your business, you should also take care about your third-party data (more information on How to work with Third Party Solution Provider under GDPR?).

How To Stay Compliance with GDPR - Inbound?

Reframe Your Website Privacy Policy Written clearly in an accessible manner Layered & tailored to communication platforms

• Link to full policy

• Direct to the website if using other means 

 Do not forget to Include a Checkbox in all the website forms for Agreement with your Privacy Policy 

How To Stay Compliance with GDPR – Outbound?

Take an audit of your current database.

Do you know geographically where your contacts are?

Know your contacts and how you acquired them.

Do you keep track of where and when your contact’ information is coming from?

How did they end up in your database?

Do you have enough information on permission and source to hold up in court if needed?

Send all our European Subscribers to Double Opt-in to receive further communication Which should be completed before 24th May 2018 

This Article covered a high-level summary of GDPR and what it means for marketers. There are a lot of other parameters you need to consider when marketing your products/services to EU citizens or storing any of their personal data. ( Even if they are any part of World the GDPR Law would be applicable to them ).

If you have any queries or required additional information, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.