Don't know what GDPR is? We can help.
In the last few weeks, you've probably had your inbox flooded with Privacy Policy updates, and mentions of the European Union's general data protection regulation-- or GDPR. There is a lot of fluff and legal jargon alike floating around the Internet about what this regulation means for business' futures, and marketers everywhere, but fear not! We've taken the time to break it down to everything you actually need to know.
What is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
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GDPR is a series of rules set to help people in the EU have more control on who has their personal data, and how those people and organizations manage and store that information.
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It changes the way companies can obtain data; people in the EU will have to explicitly opt-in, and agree to give companies permission to use their data. This explicit agreement holds organizations accountable for protecting that information from misuse or exploitation.
Does the GDPR only affect business' in Europe?
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No -- The rules under the GDPR affect the ENTIRE WORLD.
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It doesn’t matter where you’re located, if you obtain any information of a person in Europe, or already have this information, you must respect this policy and take steps accordingly.
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This action is going to change a lot, particularly how marketers gather information, and how they use it moving forward via marketing automation software or CRM.
What constitutes “personal data”?
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The terminology is vague on purpose; personal data can be any attribute a person feels is part of their identity whether it be physical, mental, cultural, etc.
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Interestingly enough, this also can pertain to online identifiers, such as IP address, “cookies”, and anything in that vein.
What can you do in response?
The “solution” to compliance is really changing practices and behaviors to manage data and prospects personal information better. Today more than ever, it's every business owner's responsibility to help the progression of responsible user data protection and privacy. The best place to start is by downloading our 10 Step Guide to GDPR Compliance, found below!
