What You Need to Know About GDPR

You’ve probably heard about how the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will drastically change the face of the internet, but do you know what you need to do to prepare?

What is GDPR?

GDPR is the European Union’s new regulation on consumer protection, data and cyber protection that will come into effect starting May 25, 2018. GDPR will give visitors more control over what information they hand over to businesses. This regulation is critical to anyone operating online, regardless of whether or not they’re based in the EU. If you’re thinking GDPR doesn’t impact you because your company is based in the US and you only do business locally, think again: if anyone from the EU visits your site, you need to be GDPR compliant or run the risk of a hefty fine. If you do international business with the EU, you’ll need to take extra steps. 

What Do I Need to Do?

Under GDPR, you need to ensure that you gain consent from customers and visitors to collect their personal information. This includes identifying information such as name, address, IP address, gender, ethnicity, etc. Any where that you collect personal information, you need to clearly explain what information is being collected and what it’s being used for and how long that information is stored. For example, if you use cookies you could have a pop-up on your site that explains that you are collecting data and requiring visitors to select “I agree” before accessing your site. Another example is including a disclaimer on a Contact Us form that by submitting the form, the visitor acknowledges that their personal information will be used to market to them via email, phone, etc. Your privacy policy should be updated with information about what data is being consumed, and how you’re using it.

In order to ensure that you’re fully compliant, we strongly recommend working with a lawyer to create these statements. You’ll also need to work directly with your webmaster to ensure that you are monitoring all information-gathering streams.

What is BizzyWeb Doing?

BizzyWeb has updated their privacy policy in preparation for GDPR coming at the end of the month. The changes in the policy go into detail about the plug-ins used on our website and what data is captured, how it is used and gives the customer ways to get off our list. We also are offering a package to clients to help them get ready for GDPR, and if you’re a client of BizzyWeb, you can learn more about that here.

HubSpot has put together a great guide called “The GDPR Last-Minute Kit” with information about GDPR, what you need to know, as well as a checklist to help you ensure that all of your data is compliant. You can learn more about the guide on our website.

* * *

Get Better Results with Growth-Driven Web Design – Free eBook

Growth-Driven Web Design is not only easier on your team and wallet- continuous updates and improvements to your website will keep your customers coming back for more. This free eBook goes over Growth-Driven Web Design and what you need to know to get started.

Need a new digital marketing or web design plan? We are a Minneapolis SEO, digital marketing, social media marketing, web design and HubSpot inbound marketing agency. We specialize in inbound marketing and Growth-Driven Design. We’re located just outside of Minneapolis. Stop on by and get started – and while you’re here, pick up a free honey stick (yes, we love our bee-related theme).