Website GDPR - Blueberry Design Ltd GDRP Compliance

Website GDPRWebsite GDPR

GDPR is an acronym for General Data Protection Regulation. The purpose of this law, which went into effect on May 25th 2018 and applies to all European member states, is to ensure transparency with how companies handle personal information like names or addresses etc., while also protecting consumers.

GDPR violations can result in substantial fines imposed by regulatory authorities. These fines can range from a percentage of the company’s annual revenue to multi-million-dollar penalties, depending on the severity of the violation. These financial penalties can severely impact a company’s bottom line and its ability to invest in growth and innovation.

Secondly, non-compliance can lead to legal action from individuals whose data privacy rights have been violated. GDPR empowers individuals to seek compensation for any harm or distress caused by the mishandling of their personal data. These legal battles can be expensive and time-consuming, further draining a company’s resources and diverting its focus from core operations.

Website GDPRGDPR Website Essentials

Websites must take several essential steps to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Here are five basic items that all websites should have:

  1. Privacy Policy: Every website should have a clear and easily accessible privacy policy that outlines how the site collects, processes, and stores user data. This policy should explain the legal basis for data processing, the purposes of data collection, and how individuals can exercise their GDPR rights, such as the right to access, rectify, or delete their data.
  2. Cookie Consent Banner: Websites often use cookies to collect user data. To comply with GDPR, websites should display a cookie consent banner or pop-up that informs users about the use of cookies and asks for their consent before any non-essential cookies are placed on their devices.
  3. Data Collection Consent Forms: When collecting personal data through forms, such as contact forms or newsletter sign-ups, websites should include explicit consent checkboxes that users must tick to agree to data processing. The consent should be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, as per GDPR requirements.
  4. Data Security Measures: Websites must implement appropriate security measures to protect user data from breaches. This includes encryption of data transmissions, secure storage practices, and regular security audits. GDPR mandates that businesses report data breaches to the relevant authorities and affected individuals within specific timeframes.
  5. User Access and Deletion Mechanisms: GDPR gives individuals the right to access their personal data held by a company and request its deletion. Websites should provide mechanisms for users to easily exercise these rights. This might include user account dashboards where individuals can view and manage their data or contact forms for data deletion requests.