Did you know that nearly 8-in-10 American companies took steps to comply with the GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new EU data protection law that came into effect on May 25, 2018. If you don’t comply with GDPR, you could face heavy fines.
Many website owners are unsure if their website is compliant with GDPR, and even if they are compliant, there is a lot of confusion about what needs to be done.
But don’t worry. Keep reading because our Quick and Easy GDPR Compliance Checklist will help you determine whether your website is compliant with GDPR and guide you through the steps needed to become fully compliant.
1. Do You Have a Privacy Policy?
You need to have a privacy policy that outlines how you collect, use, and store personal data. This policy should be easily accessible on your website.
2. Do You Collect Personal Data?
If you collect any personal data from users (including names, addresses, email addresses, etc.), you need to be GDPR compliant. You’ll need to get explicit consent from users before collecting their data.
3. Do You Obtain Consent Before Collecting Personal Data?
Before collecting any personal data, you must obtain explicit consent from the user. This means making it clear what data you’re collecting and why and giving the user the option to opt-in or out of providing this information.
4. Do You Allow Users to Access Their Data?
Under GDPR, users have the right to access the personal data you have about them. This means you need to provide a way for users to view, edit, or delete their data upon request.
5. Do You Allow Users to Opt-Out of Having Their Personal Data Collected?
Users must be able to easily opt-out of having their data collected at any time. This means providing a clear and concise way for them to do so, such as an unsubscribe link in emails or a form on your website.
6. Do You Delete Personal Data When Requested?
If a user requests that you delete their data, you are legally obligated to do so within a reasonable timeframe. Not doing this will result in legal action.
7. Do You Protect Users’ Personal Data?
You must take reasonable steps to protect users’ data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This includes implementing security measures such as encrypting data and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access.
8. Do You Notify Users of Data Breaches?
In the event of a data breach, you must notify affected users within 72 hours. This notification must include information on what happened and what steps they can take to protect themselves.
9. Do You Designate a Data Protection Officer (DPO)?
If you process large amounts of personal data or if your business is subject to certain regulations, you may be required to appoint a DPO. The DPO is responsible for ensuring GDPR compliance within the organization.
10. Do You Provide Training to Employees on GDPR?
All employees who handle personal data must be trained on GDPR website compliance and understand the requirements of the regulation. You can either train your staff yourself or hire a professional to train them for you.
If you’d like to learn more about GDPR and browser cookie changes, check out this post from The HOTH.
Implement This GDPR Compliance Checklist Today
Although this GDPR compliance checklist only scratches the surface of what GDPR entails, it is a good starting point for understanding how to make your website compliant. If you want more information, be sure to check out our blog.
And please share this article with any business owners you know who are worried about GDPR.